As a seasoned traveller and a parent, I’ve had my fair share of experiences navigating the skies with children over the years, from when they were a few months old to teenagers.
The airline that we have flown with the most on our long haul trips is British Airways. We have typically chosen BA in the past as they fly to the widest range of cities in the USA from the UK and we tend to use our Avios points that we have collected to redeem against flights across their range of cabins.
In this article, I’m excited to share my insights into flying British Airways with kids, covering every aspect from economy to first class and how you can travel in premium cabins from as little as 50p one way when using BA executive club points.
Flying British Airways Economy (World traveller) with Kids:
Flying British Airways Economy (World traveller) with Kids:World traveller (economy class) on British Airways is comfortable, practical and the most affordable options for families. We have flown an 11 hour flight in economy to San Diego from London when the kids were small.
Whilst legroom might not be as generous as in higher classes – it’s on par with legroom offered on a short haul airline such as Easyjet or TUI, there are several strategies to make the journey enjoyable for everyone.
If your kids are old enough then look to book the extra legroom seats in the cabin which provide extra space. Similarly Bulkhead seats on the plane also offer more space and its also these seats which are used for the infant bassinets.
We pack the kids iPads preloaded with their favourite programmes and snacks to keep them occupied during the flight. Don’t forget to take advantage of BA’s Kids’ Zone, featuring a selection of movies, TV shows, games, and music tailored to children including CBeebies, Cartoon Network and Disney channels.
All seats in economy are provided with in-fight headsets, a pillow and a blanket. Every member of the party receives a baggage allowance of 1 checked bag of up to 23kg.
Flying British Airways Premium Economy (World Traveller Plus) with Kids:
Stepping up to World Traveller Plus (premium economy) offers added comfort and space, which can make a significant difference when traveling with kids.
We have flown this cabin several times and we particularly like the smaller cabin, wider seats and increased legroom which creates a more relaxed atmosphere especially on a long haul flight. There are lots of other enhancements from standard economy, such as noise cancelling headphones and upgraded meals.
Additionally, priority boarding helps streamline the process, ensuring a smoother and more stress free start to your journey.
Every member of the party receives a baggage allowance of 2 checked bags of up to 23kg.
Flying British Airways Business Class (Club World ) with Kids:
Flying Club World (business class) long haul with kids is a game-changer and out of all of the four cabin classes that we have flown with British Airways, Club World is our favourite. The luxurious amenities provided by the White Company and superior service allow you to enjoy a relaxing and stress-free flight.
The spacious seats convert into 6ft fully flat beds with stylish bedding, making it easier for kids (and adults) to sleep comfortably – a long haul flight feels like a short haul flight when you are flying business.
British Airways offers a delicious menu in this cabin, ensuring that even the pickiest eaters find something they love and there is a snack area which our kids love accessing for treats when flying. Entertainment options are improved with a much larger 12” or 17” screen and noise cancelling headphones.
If you are taking a business class flight in Europe, British Airways call this Club Europe and it’s a premium product but differs slightly from Club World. This smaller cabin is at the front of the plane with leather seats and more personal space as the middle seat is kept free.
On the majority of their short haul planes there are no entertainment screens like on their long haul fleet but you do get a selection of delicious meals including full British breakfast, lunch, traditional afternoon tea or dinner dependent on the time of your flight.
Flying business class with British Airways also provides a dedicated check-in, fast track security access at London Heathrow and access to business class airport lounges, all of which provides a much calmer and stress free start to your journey. Kids in particular will enjoy the Skyflyer Lounge in the Club South Lounge. Every member of the party receives a baggage allowance of 2 checked bags of up to 32kg.
Flying British Airways First Class with Kids:
If you’re looking for the ultimate family travel experience, British Airways’ first class is the epitome of luxury. This is the ultimate way to travel with British Airways with so much personal space in your own cabin.
It’s the personal levels of service that sets this cabin apart from business, with attentive staff catering to you every need, making sure your family’s journey is seamless.
One of our favourite features of travelling first with kids is the option to dine together, having breakfast together at your own personal dining table after a great nights sleep on a 6ft 6in fully flat bed with microfibre mattress topper and 400 thread count bedding and your own Temperley London loungewear, amenity bag and slippers.
Meals in first are some of the best in the skies, with their a la carte dine anytime menu, which ensures that even the most fussiest eaters in the family should enjoy one of the meals available.
Priority security, boarding, baggage handling, and access to the finest airport lounges make the entire process effortless.
Every member of the party receives a baggage allowance of 2 checked bags of up to 32kg.
Tip – Whatever class of cabin you fly with British Airways, sign up to their free Executive Club Household Account, where you can all collect Avios together in a single account.
Checking in at the airport with kids
If you are flying from London Heathrow Terminal 5, use their dedicated family check-in area in Zone E of the airport. We have used it multiple times and it really makes a difference when travelling with kids, making your check-in experience so much easier and often faster than the standard check-in zones.
The airline also invites families with infants under 2 and young children in pushchairs to board the plane first, which I always found great when the kids were younger to get settled onboard before the rest of the plane boards.
What is the British Airways Kids Pack?
For kids aged 2-6 they receive the BA Skyflyer activity packs which were always a favourite with our girls when they were travelling with British Airways. The reusable pack contains fun eye masks, paw print socks, crayons and my favourite a postcard to send home from your holiday. These packs make great keepsakes which kids can take away with them.
Tip – These are not provided onboard and need to be collected at the Family or Club World check-in zones at Heathrow Terminal 5, Gatwick and London City.
What is the food like onboard for kids?
British Airways offers a meal designed for kids onboard its long haul flights which are served to children first. To receive a British Airways kids meal, you will need to request one in advance up to 24-hours before you fly. You can do this online via the Manage by Booking section on the BA website. If you don’t order a kids meal, children with a booked seat will receive a regular adults in-flight meal from the class of cabin that you are flying in.
Will families be seated together onboard a British Airways Flight?
On all flights that we have taken with British Airways, we have never been split up as a family. However British Airways can often seat you in adjacent rows or across the aisle. All children under 12 will be seated with an adult, but anyone over 12 might be seated on their own.
I don’t agree with British Airways charging for seat selection but this is the only way to guarantee that your party sits together which is what we do. It doesn’t matter if you are travelling economy to first with BA, if you don’t hold Gold, Silver and Bronze status in their Executive Club you will have to pay for your seats and costs can really add up.
British Airways should really follow the example set by Virgin Atlantic who offer free seat selection in their cabins. The only exception is if you are travelling with an infant (on your lap) you can choose a seat for yourself and everyone in your booking (up to 9 passengers), free of charge.
What is the entertainment for kids like on board?
Over the years flying with British Airways, our kids have really enjoyed the TV, movies and games on offer when travelling long haul. For infants and younger children there are dedicated channels to Disney, CBeebies and Nickelodeon with lots of their favourite shows to enjoy.
For older kids the latest movie blockbusters available onboard will keep them occupied. We have always brought their own headphones and iPads for them, preloaded with things to watch and the latest games so they have more than enough entertainment options whilst onboard.
For tweens and teens who need to be connected to the internet, British Airways now also offer Wifi onboard most of their fleet, ranging in cost from £4.99 – £21.99 dependent on route.
Do kids get a luggage allowance with British Airways
Unless you have booked an economy basic fare (that does not include hold baggage) all passengers can check in a 23kg suitcase. This includes lap-sitting babies under 24 months, unless their accompanying adult is booked on an Economy Light fare.
Passengers in premium economy can take double the allowance of economy passengers, so that’s two 23kg suitcases and in business class and first class that increases further to two suitcases up to 32kg.
In addition to the suitcase allowance, if you are traveling on British Airways with kids, you can bring a fully collapsible pushchair and a car seat for free.
Conclusion
Flying British Airways with kids across different cabin classes offers a range of experiences to suit your family’s needs and preferences. Whether you’re looking for practicality in economy, added comfort in premium economy, luxury in business class, or the ultimate indulgence in first class, British Airways caters to families of all sizes.